Beis HaMikdash – The Tree of Life

Tisha b’Av 5783

reflection for Tisha b’Av day: Stuck in Galus (Exile)

“From thence ye will seek the L-RD thy G-d; and thou shalt find Him, if thou search after Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” – Deuteronomy 4:29, JPS 1917 Tanach

In Galus (Exile), we are bound by our distractions, and deceived by modern culture. Instead of being cognizant of all that has been taken away from us, we are enamored by the glitter of the world. Our eyes are glued to the screens of New Babylon, projecting its images across the world. We forgotten what the psalmist says not forget: “O Jerusalem, if I forget thee…” (Psalms 137:5).

Even so, Moshe prophesied that from this place of exile, we will seek H’Shem. It is just like the zeitgeist of the world, in every age, to try to blind us to the truth, to make us forget our ways, and assimilate into the masses of faceless humanity. Yet, in our hearts, we know who we are, and the call to return to G-d is more powerful than the yearning for endless entertainment. Unearth the treasures of the past, excavate the hidden gems of our ancestors, dust off the pages of scripture, in order to learn the truth. We are not made for this world; we are created to serve H’Shem.

There can be no compromise, as Elijah made clear to the Israelites at Mount Carmel: “’How long halt ye between two opinions? if the L-RD be G-d, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ And all the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21, JPS). Commentary explains, that the people were worshipping both H’Shem and the pagan deity Baal. They had formed a syncretic religion of sorts, where they blended worship of G-d with that of Baal.

Yet, there can be no compromise. Eliah was calling them to follow H’Shem wholeheartedly. Too often, we mix and match our interests, so that we can not give our undivided attention to the only One who deserves it. “Hear O Israel, the L-RD our G-d, the L-RD is One. And you shall love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4).

Divine Wisdom & Natural Ability

parasha Vayakhel-Pekudei 5783

“The Lord, by wisdom, founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the depths were broken up and the skies drop down the dew” (Proverbs 3:19-20, JPSN). These three qualities, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge were imbued in the heart of Bezalel, “And I have filled him with the spirit of G-d, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship” (Exodus 31:3; Exodus 35:31, Berachos 55).

The sages say of Betzalel that he was capable of using the letters of the alphabet of the Holy Tongue in a manner similar to the way G’d had used them when creating the universe (Sforno). How remarkable to note this comparison. The building of the Mishkan was like unto the creation of the world. And, how remarkable that the chosen craftsman for overseeing the construction of the Mishkan was given qualities inspired by the Ruach Elokim (G-d’s Spirit).

We should marvel at the construction of the Mishkan, and even moreso at the Creation of the World. G-d’s Creation is a masterpiece beyond compare; yet, reflected in the Mishkan. Our appreciation of the Mishkan, although we only have the written account, should compel us all the more to appreciate G-d’s Creation. For, “the heavens declare the glory of G-d, the sky proclaims His handiwork” (Psalms 19:2, JPS 2006 Tanach). King David compares the orderliness of the heavens, and the sun in particular to the perfectness of Torah (Psalms 19:3-10).

The builders of the Mishkan were also imbued with wisdom. “And in the hearts of all the wise-hearted, I have placed wisdom” (Exodus 31:6; see also 36:1). According to Akeidat Yitzchak, “divinely inspired wisdom would be paired with natural intelligence” in order for the newly acquired skills of the impromptu artisans to contribute these talents to the building of the Mishkan. In other words, their intelligence was augmented by divine wisdom, for the sake of building the sacred Mishkan.

If only such a combination of the natural in man, accompanied by a divine bestowal of wisdom could guide us in our efforts to create heaven on earth, the world would look very different today. Yet, through Torah, we learn of the right ways to interact, harmonize, and build the world, bringing G-d’s perfection of creation into every part and parcel of our lives. May we continue this endeavor, in the face of adversity, chaos, and the imbalances currently found within societies around the world. May we look forward to the assurance of tomorrow’s promises, when G-d’s Kingdom will be established through Moshiach.

Psalm 61: A Refuge in Exile

A Refuge in Exile: reflections on Psalm 61

It is interesting to note, that David’s flight into exile parallels the exiles of the Jewish people. Even today, during the current exile, we can learn from his words, in regard to the challenges that we face. For, we are indeed in exile, inasmuch that the Third Temple has yet to be built. So, even though, Israel has been a recreated state since 1948, many Jews still live outside of Israel in other countries around the world. The ingathering is not yet complete.

So, we may say with David, “May I take refuge in the shelter of your wings” (Psalms 61:5). Because, no matter where we live, the Shechinah, H’Shem’s Presence will be a refuge for the righteous. As is written elsewhere, “For He concealeth me in His pavilion in the day of evil; He hideth me in the covert of his tent; He lifteth me up upon a rock” (Psalms 27:5, JPS 1917 Tanach).

G-d’s Architect

parashas Vayakhel 5782

We should marvel at the construction of the Mishkan, as well as the Creation of the World. G-d’s Creation is a masterpiece beyond compare; yet, reflected in the Mishkan. Our appreciation of the Mishkan, although we only have the written account, should compel us all the more to appreciate G-d’s Creation. For, “the heavens declare the glory of G-d, the sky proclaims His handiwork” (Psalms 19:2, JPS 2006 Tanach). King David compares the orderliness of the heavens, and the sun in particular to the perfectness of Torah (Psalms 19:3-10).

“And in the hearts of all the wise-hearted, I have placed wisdom.” – Exodus 31:6

The builders of the Mishkan were also imbued with wisdom. Through Torah, we learn of the right ways to interact, harmonize, and build the world, bringing G-d’s perfection of creation into every part and parcel of our lives. May we continue this endeavor, in the face of adversity, chaos, and the imbalances currently found within societies around the world. H’Shem will grant us an assurance of tomorrow’s promises, when we focus on His Kingdom being established through Moshiach. And, the Torah will go out from Zion as is written:

“And it shall come to pass in the end of days, that the mountain of the L-RD’s house shall be established as the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say: ‘Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the L-RD, to the house of the G-d of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the L-RD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2-3, JPS 1917 Tanach).